<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lycopodium cernuum</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Funaria hygrometrica</Emphasis> as deposition indicators for radionuclides and trace metals

Summary Levels of ²¹⁰Pb, ²¹⁰Po, ¹³⁷Cs and some trace elements (Cu, Zn and Pb) in two most common mosses (Lycopodium cernuum and Funaria hygrometrica) distributed in the eastern Mediterranean sea region (Syrian coastal mountains series) have been determined. Radiochemical analysis has shown that these plants contain high levels of ²¹⁰Pb, ²¹⁰Po, ¹³⁷Cs. The highest concentration of ²¹⁰Pb, ²¹⁰Po and ¹³⁷Cs were found to be 1450, 1322 and 1140 Bq ^. kg^-1 dry wt. in L. cernuum, respectively. F. hygrometrica was found to have higher values of ²¹⁰Pb and ²¹⁰Po concentrations and reached 2392 and 2119 Bq ^. kg^-1 dry wt., respectively. Correlation coefficients for radionuclide levels in both plants versus their levels in soil have been determined: No correlation for ¹³⁷Cs for both plants has been observed. This indicates that ¹³⁷Cs in these plants is of atmospheric origin and the plants can be used as deposition indicators. In addition, a correlation with radionuclide levels was found only for ²¹⁰Pb and ²¹⁰Po in F. hygrometrica samples and was mainly related to ²²⁶Ra content in soil and the existing faults, which are the main source of these radionuclides. On the other hand, lead concentration in L. cernuum was found to be in the range of 5-86.6 ppm, while F. hygrometrica samples were found to contain around 58 ppm. Both plants seem to accumulate lead from the atmosphere where vehicle emissions are the main source of lead in the region. Comparable concentrations of Cu and Zn were found in all plant and soil samples.     

Synthesis from geraniol of (2<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>,6<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>,10<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>,14<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>)-16-hydroxygeranylgeraniol and some of its derivatives

Several α,ω-bifunctional derivatives of E,E,E-geranylgeraniol were prepared via convergent synthesis starting with geraniol (8), which was converted in three steps into the tetrahydropyranyl ether of 8-chlorogeraniol (9) and 8-hydroxygeranylphenylsulfone (10). Combination of synthons 9 and 10 with subsequent reductive removal of the phenylsulfonyl group produced the tetrahydropyranyl ether of ω-hydroxygeranylgeraniol (5), hydrolysis of which gave exclusively trans-ω-hydroxygeranylgeraniol (1). Derivatives 5–7 of geranylgeraniol were synthesized using standard methods. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 231–234, May–June, 2007.     

Reductive Acylamination of Pyridine <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-Oxide with Aminopyridines and Their <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-Tolylsulfonyl Derivatives

Pyridine N-oxide reacts with 2- and 3-aminopyridines and their N-p-tolylsulfonyl derivatives in alkaline medium in the presence of p-toluenesulfonyl chloride to give N-p-tolylsulfonyl-2,2′- and 2,3′-dipyridylamines, respectively, as a result of reductive acylamination. In the reactions with 4-aminopyridine and 4-p-tolylsulfonyl-aminopyridine, their N-p-tolylsulfonyl- and N,N-bis(p-tolylsulfonyl) derivatives are formed, while reductive acylamination does not occur.__________Translated from Zhurnal Organicheskoi Khimii, Vol. 41, No. 1, 2005, pp. 128–130.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Solekhova, Kurbatov.     

A new cyclic peptide from the marine fungal strain <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus</Emphasis> sp<Emphasis Type="Italic">.</Emphasis> AF119

A new cyclic heptapeptide containing γ-aminobutyric acid in the ring, namely unguisin E (1), was isolated from the fermentation culture of Aspergillus sp. AF119. The structure was elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR experiments, and HR ESI-Q-TOF mass spectrometry, and by comparison with those reported. Compound 1 was evaluated for its antimicrobial activities by the paper diffusion method.     

Mechanism of OH radical-induced oxidation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-cresol to <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-methylphenoxyl radical

The OH radical-induced oxidation of p-cresol to p-methylphenoxyl radical was studied in aqueous solution in a wide pH range by means of pulse radiolysis combined with optical spectroscopy. OH-adduct cyclohexadienyl type radicals were identified as intermediates of the reaction. In the acidic pH range the first-order rate coefficient of phenoxyl radical formation was found linearly dependent on the H₃O⁺ concentration yielding a bimolecular rate coefficient of 1.8 × 10⁸ mol^–1 dm³ s^–1. In the alkaline range a linear dependence was found on the OH^– concentration with rate coefficient of 4.9 × 10¹⁰ mol^–1 dm³ s^–1. These findings were interpreted in terms of acid-base catalysis of the H₂O elimination from the OH-adduct. With the time resolution applied, 30 ns, the radical cation p-CH₃C₆H₄OH^+. was not observed as intermediate.     

A Study on the Photochemical Transformations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>- and <Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis>-Nitrosonitrobenzenes

Photochemical oxidation of p- and m-nitrosonitrobenzenes to corresponding dinitrobenzenes was studied. The reaction was described by a scheme involving two successive steps, with the rates of photochemical decomposition of isomeric nitrosonitrobenzenes being much higher than those of dinitrobenzenes. Oligomeric azo and azoxy compounds and the products of hydroxylation of the reaction medium were found as final products of the reaction upon long-term irradiation with UV light.__________Translated from Khimiya Vysokikh Energii, Vol. 39, No. 4, 2005, pp. 287–292.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Zelentsov, Logunov.     

Mercaptan addition to 1-<Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-allyl-2,3,4,6-tetra-<Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-acetyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-D-galactopyranose

Addition of ethyl-, propyl-, and n-butylmercaptans to 1-O-allyl-2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-galactopyranose in the presence of benzoyl peroxide catalyst was studied for the first time. The products were 1-O-(3-ethylthiopropyl)-2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-galactopyranose, 1-O-(3-propylthiopropyl)-2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-galactopyranose, and 1-O-(3-butylthiopropyl)-2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-galactopyranose. Deacetylation of 1-O-(3-ethylthiopropyl)-2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-galactopyranose produced 1-O-(3-ethylthiopropyl)-β-D-galactopyranose. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 209–211, May–June, 2007.     

Development of <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis> isotactic polypropylene polymorphs in injection molded structural foams

Structural foam moldings, composed of three co-axial cylinders differing in diameter (10 mm, 20 mm, and 30 mm) and length, were produced from isotactic polypropylene (PP) and 0.5 mass % 1,1′-azobisformamide on an in-line injection molding machine in a mould cavity pre-pressurized with nitrogen by the classical low-pressure process combined with egression of foamed melt from the core. Injection-molding conditions were as follows: melt temperature, 220°C, mold temperature, 20°C, cooling time, 5 min, gas-counter pressure, 0.5 MPa. The sprue gate was at the end of the smallest cylinder and its diameter was varied from 4 mm to 7 mm. To investigate the development of β-PP modification in terms of phenomena due to the phase change in the mould cavity (expansion), appropriate specimens (cross-sections) were cut from the middle of each cylinder in parallel and perpendicular orientation to the flow direction and were investigated by WAXS, DSC, and POM. As revealed by WAXS, β-PP is present in all cylinders, always concentrated in certain regions of the cross-section — mainly in the surface layers of the smallest cylinder (D1) and in the foamed core of the other two cylinders (D2 and D3). Its concentration was found to change with the sprue dimensions. High β-PP concentration is associated with a preferred orientation in the skin of the smallest cylinder and with better expansion conditions in larger cylinders. Presence of the β-phase in the surface layers and in the core of the moldings was proved by DSC and POM.     

Chemotaxonomy of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ballota</Emphasis> Species

Sixteen taxa of Ballota were investigated by analyzing the contents of diterpenoid and flavonoid compositions, and the relationships were compared with their morphological properties. HPLC chromatograms of diterpenoids and flavonoids from acetone extracts of sixteen Ballota taxa revealed the presence of thirteen compounds. Isolated compounds from Ballota species were evaluated by the unweighted pair-group arithmetic average (UPGMA) clustering method. B. glandulosissima is distinct from all other taxa in the dendogram, and this species is morphologically different from other taxa by having a high number of glandular hairs. The second group is composed of B. saxatilis ssp. saxatilis and B. inaequidens; these two species are in close kinship as evidenced by their morphology (similar calyx shape). In the latter clusters at most, the affinities among taxa, as suggested by diterpenoid and flavonoid pattern, are only partially congruent with affinities based on other evidence. In general, morphologic, anatomic characters, distributions, and habitats are not concordant with the clusters. Also, no concordance was found between the sections, phylogenetic order [1], and those of the groups formed by cluster analyses.__________Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 242–244, May–June, 2005.     

Kinetic characterisation of arylamine <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-acetyltransferase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas aeruginosa</Emphasis>

Background  

Arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NATs) are important drug- and carcinogen-metabolising enzymes that catalyse the transfer of an acetyl group from a donor, such as acetyl coenzyme A, to an aromatic or heterocyclic amine, hydrazine, hydrazide or N-hydroxylamine acceptor substrate. NATs are found in eukaryotes and prokaryotes, and they may also have an endogenous function in addition to drug metabolism. For example, NAT from Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been proposed to have a role in cell wall lipid biosynthesis, and is therefore of interest as a potential drug target. To date there have been no studies investigating the kinetic mechanism of a bacterial NAT enzyme.     

Biological Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles by Fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Epicoccum</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">nigrum</Emphasis>

Gold nanoparticles exhibit unique optical, thermal, chemical and physical properties. The microorganisms have high potential for production of nanoparticles with wide applications. Application of fungi to produce nanoparticles is potentially exciting because of their ability to secrete large amounts of enzymes. In this study, we investigated biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles by the fungus Epicoccum nigrum isolated from Andalian gold mine in north-west of Iran. The gold nanoparticles were produced intra and extracellular by reaction of an aqueous solution of chloroauric acid with the biomass of fungus E. nigrum. The produced gold nanoparticles were in the size range of 5–50 nm in spherical and rod shapes. This is the first report on the biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles by the fungus E. nigrum.     

Synthesis of 4-[(1<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>,4<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>)-3-Oxo-<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-menthan-2-ylidenemethyl]benzoic Acid and Its Esters

Carbonylation of (E)-2-(4-halobenzylidene)-p-menthan-3-ones, catalyzed by PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂, gave a distereometric mixure of 4-[(1R,4R)- and (1R,4S)-3-oxo-p-menthan-2-ylidenemethyl]benzoic acids, whose reaction with phenols gave 1R,4R diastereomers of the corresponding esters.__________Translated from Zhurnal Obshchei Khimii, Vol. 75, No. 4, 2005, pp. 659–664.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Drushlyak, Kutulya, Pivnenko, Vashchenko.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">DegP</Emphasis> and Related Genes as Stress-Markers for <Emphasis Type="Italic">E.Coli</Emphasis>-Viability – Ultra-Sensitive RT-Real-Time PCR

Summary. The study was done to set up an on-line viability test system based on the stress-response of pathogenic E.coli. Fully automated and computerized pathogen detection was achieved via RNA expression monitoring using an high-speed real-time PCR-system with single molecule sensitivity. The device was developed in a collaboration of SAUR, France, the TU Delft (Kluyver Laboratorium – Analytical Biotechnology, Netherlands) and Attophotonics Bioscience, Austria.The automated viability assay is fully hands-off, using a continuous concentration process of the pathogens from litres sample down to tens of millilitres, cell cracking to DNA/RNA solution and further concentration down to a few hundred microlitres. RT-PCR and real-time-PCR are done with a robotic system. DegP found from E.coli to human was selectively induced within the device via heat shock at 50°C. Up to 1000 fold induction was achieved from environmental to heat-shock level. It was proven that degP quantification via RT-real-time PCR provides an excellent basis for multi-organism viability detection.Received September 16, 2002; accepted February 20, 2003 Published online September 15, 2003     

Structural analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">w</Emphasis>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">w</Emphasis> multiple emulsions by means of DSC

Summary The properties of the inner and the external aqueous phases, were studied in w/o/w multiple emulsions with light microscopic image analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The importance of multiple emulsions lies in the presence of these aqueous phases, making them available for sustained, controlled drug delivery systems. Differentiation of these two aqueous phases, studying the effect of manufacturing technology on droplet structure, quantitative determination of phase volumes and any changes occurring during storage are essential when planning w/o/w emulsions. The present study uses microscopic observations combined with DSC measurements in order to identify the formed structure, at developmental stage in case of different components, preparation methods, and stirring rates. These tools are beneficial during manufacturing as in process controls, or to ensure product quality.     

Structure and photochromism of 2-(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-acyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-arylaminomethylene)benzo[<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>]thiophen-3(2<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>)-ones

It was shown by electron absorption spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis that steric strains in photochromic 2-(N-acyl-N-arylaminomethylene) benzo[b]thiophen-3(2H)-one molecules ortho-substituted in the N-phenyl ring increase the quantum yield of the N→O photoinduced rearrangement in accord with an increase in the steric constant of the ortho-substituent.__________Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 2151–2155, October, 2004.     

Aryltetralin Lignans from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Linum mucronatum</Emphasis> Bertol. ssp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">mucronatum</Emphasis>

The dried and aerial part of Linum mucronatum ssp. mucronatum was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Two aryltetralin lignans, podophylloyoxin, 6-methoxypodophylloyoxin, and β-peltatin, were identified. This is the first report of the analysis of L. mucronatum ssp. mucronatum.__________Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 24–25, January–February, 2005.     

Comparative characteristics of water-soluble proteins from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Larix sibirica</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea obovata</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Abies sibirica</Emphasis> bud meristem

The amount of water-soluble proteins in bud meristem of Larix sibirica L., Picea obovata L., and Abies sibirica L. was shown to increase by 2-3 times in autumn during development of low-temperature resistance. The fractional composition of water-soluble proteins of the studied species and the amino-acid composition of groups of water-soluble proteins with different molecular weight (MW) were similar. Nitrogen accumulated as aspartic acid, glycine, and alanine in high- and medium-molecular-weight proteins. The peptides (MW < 5 kDa) typically had a high content of hydrophobic proline and hydrophilic tyrosine.     

Oil Accumulation via Heterotrophic/Mixotrophic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlorella protothecoides</Emphasis>

Microalgal oil is a potential energy source because it can be easily converted to fatty acid methyl ester or hydrocarbon type of diesel, and it is produced with relatively higher productivity compared with oil from plants and animals. Heterotrophic growth of microalgae is superior due to its high final product concentration; however, the cost of the raw materials is unacceptable if sugar is utilized as the carbon source. The aim of this study is to optimize the lipid accumulation of Chlorella protothecoides by using carbon sources other than glucose in heterotrophic and mixotrophic cultures. Different factors such as different carbon sources, carbon to nitrogen ratio, initial pH level, salinity, and rotational speed are studied in affecting the cell growth and the oil accumulation. Our experiments revealed that the heterotrophic and mixotrophic cultures of C. protothecoides grew better than autotrophic cultures. C. protothecoides can grow on glycerol or acetate, as well as on glucose. Several stress factors were confirmed or discovered to significantly increase the lipid content of microalgae cells. The replacement of glycerol and acetate as carbon sources for microalgae cultivations provides potential for waste utilization: glycerol from biodiesel industry and acetate from biohydrogen production.     

Reaction sites of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N,N′</Emphasis>-substituted <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-phenylenediamine antioxidants

The geometries of N,N′-diphenylbenzene-1,4-diamine (DPPD), N-phenyl-N′-(1-phenylethyl)benzene-1,4-diamine (SPPD), N-(4-methylpentan-2-yl)-N′-phenylbenzene-1,4-diamine (6PPD), N-propan-2-yl-N′-phenylbenzene-1,4-diamine (IPPD), N-(2-methoxybenzyl)-N′-phenylbenzene-1,4-diamine (MBPPD), and N-phenyl-N′-(2-phenylpropan-2-yl)benzene-1,4-diamine (CPPD) as well as of their dehydrogenation products were optimized by the semiempirical AM1 method. The results support the idea of stable N_B=C_X structures formation during the consecutive dehydrogenation of SPPD, 6PPD, IPPD, and MBPPD antioxidants. The biradicals formed during the second step of dehydrogenation of substituted phenylenediamines might be important for their antioxidant effectiveness. Dedicated to Professor Vladimír Kvasnička, DrSc., in honour of his 65th birthday     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ab initio</Emphasis> study of aniline and <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-propylamine associates with nitrobenzene and <Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis>-cresol

An ab initio (6-31G**) study of binary associates of aniline and n-propylamine with nitrobenzene and m-cresol has been carried out. The structures corresponding to the total energy minimum of the system have been found for the associates, and their geometrical and energy characteristics have been determined. Basic types of intermolecular interactions have been established, and their effects on the reactivity of the amino group have been investigated.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by I. A. Novakov, V. V. Korolkov, A. I. Pavlyuchko, B. S. Orlinson, and L. A. GribovTranslated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 45, No. 4, pp. 595–601, July–August, 2004.This revised version was published online in April 2005 with a corrected cover date.